Abstracts & Summeries (In English)

Extent of Computer Use among the Yemeni

Agricultural Researchers
Khalil M. Alsharjabi*

Ali Ismail Hael

Abdullah A. Almarzuki

P. O. box 87148, Dhamar, Republic of Yemen

Email*: Khalil60amal@yahoo.com
The Agricultural Research and Extension Authority (AREA), HQ-Dhamar
Keywords; Agriculture, Computer, Ownership, Research, Training, Use, Yemen

The study aimed at identifying computer use extent among the Yemeni agricultural
researchers, using the survey and descriptive approach. Data was collected through a
questionnaire from study sample (132 respondents). It was analyzed using SPSS-13 and
suitable statistical measures like frequencies, percentages, standard deviations, and
correlations (r). About 90% of respondents are using computer, and 68.9% own computers.
Only 59.1% of them own desktop computers at homes, while about 30% avail of desktop
computers at work. Lower percentage confirmed to own labtops (11.4%). About 31% of
respondents do not possess computers at all, 43% own only one computer set, about 20%
of respondents own two computers sets and 5.3% of them own three computers. About 58%
of respondents attended computer training courses. From among the various personal and
job characteristics of respondents, only three variables (education qualification, scientific
rank and English proficiency) manifested positive and significant correlations with
"computer use" at 0.01 level of significance. Respondents mentioned some obstacles
hindering their computer use such as: limited number of computers at workplace, lack of
computer training opportunities, limited financial resources among others. The study
concluded with several recommended to improve researcher's accessibility to computer,
and adequate computer training to enhance researcher's computing capabilities for the
advantage of staff, their scientific research work, their organization and ultimately the
country's agricultural development.

Issue (26), Dec 2012